Do I still worry or do I have evidence that I can seek God’s ways first and trust Him completely to provide for my basic needs?

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

— Matthew 6:31-34

Insight

If we are living a godly life, walking by the Spirit, and giving daily priority to seeking God through Bible study and prayer, we don’t have to live in fear of not being able to take care of ourselves or our family. This is a promise from God which we access by faith and obedience. It doesn’t mean He will provide according to our desired lifestyle or our timing, but He will provide according to our genuine needs. When I choose to worry, I am literally telling God that I don't trust Him. The Bible says the righteous will live by faith (Rom 1:17). I heard a pastor say, “When you doubt God, you are questioning His integrity and calling Him a liar.” That is why it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb 11:6). Never forget, even if the entire American or world economy collapses, or if terrorists take out our power grid, you and I serve a God that knows how to rain down bread from heaven (Exodus 16:11-14), bring water out of rock (Exo 17:6), have birds deliver you breakfast and dinner (1 Kings 17:6), and keep your oil and flour from running empty (1 Kings 17:14)! Many, like little olé me have learned to live with this kind of faith in God, on a daily basis. We see God do amazing things, and we are constantly filled with joy and strengthened in our faith when we see Him come through time and again. Why not join us? God has no favorites (Acts 10:34). Just because most American “Christians” don’t trust Him doesn’t mean you don’t have to. He is the same powerful God today as always. We are the ones that changed, not Him! When you feel worry coming go back and meditate on His promises, specific to the area you are worrying about. Claim those promises in faith. When the worry comes back, repeat the process. This is spiritual warfare, using the word of God, like Jesus conducted against the devil when He was being tempted (Mat 4:1-11).

Be on your guard against the lies in your head, or from the devil, telling you that you are unworthy, “I blew it…I’ve messed up too much this time…God will never help me out of this now.”

God gave me one of the biggest blessings in my life, just days after one of my biggest sin failures. Incredibly, He told me about the blessing coming before I even stumbled. When I stumbled, I was not expecting God to still bless me. After I repented in brokenness for nearly three days, God still blessed me. That is amazing grace! If you still feel there is sin standing in His way, ask the Spirit to show it to you, but remember, sometimes we have valley experiences and they have nothing to do with our sin, but rather God’s perfect plan to conform us.

Michael's Recommendation:

I would like to highly recommend the following supplemental free audio books to go with your daily John 7:17 challenge. They will greatly increase your motivation and your understanding of this journey.

Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray

The Spiritual Life by Andrew Murray

The School of Obedience by Andrew Murray

These audiobooks are in the public domain and can be downloaded for free at Librivox.org or you can download their free app.